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Funny Cricket Tweets 2018 edition six

Charbel Coorey
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Another week, another set of brilliant cricket tweets.

As you may know, I love the game of cricket, and am passionate about writing about the game. But, showcasing some of the awesome tweets that make me laugh is arguably the articles I enjoy writing the most.

In a week where England won the series, Alastair Cook announced his retirement and Piers Morgan showing how big a fool he is once again, here are 12 of my favourite tweets from the days gone by.

Funny Cricket Tweet #1: Of course that was a legal delivery…

Ben Stokes picked up the wicket of Ajinkya Rahane in the first innings at Southampton in very controversial circumstances.
 
Was it or was it not a legal delivery? @imsanjivraman, it’s a shame you are a Liverpool fan, but that will not stop me from claiming this is arguably the best thing on Twitter. Removes all reasonable doubt about whether it was a no ball…
 
Brilliant stuff.
 

Funny Cricket Tweet #2: Moeen Ali is too boring!

In my 4th Test Player Ratings, I joked that Ashwin said “if you compare the number of carrom balls, I outbowled Moeen easily.”
 
@JosePuliampatta took this to another level and tweeted something so believable you’d believe Ashwin said it. Who cares about hitting the same spot? How boring…
 
I had a good laugh, despite my frustration with Ashwin’s bowling.
 

Funny Cricket Tweet #3: “Not me”

If you are not following @cricloverakku, I recommend you do.
 
He gets a regular mention in these articles, and here is another tweet that made me chuckle! The “not me” attitude of these three players has backfired, with all three technically be removed from the Test squad…
 

Funny Cricket Tweet #4: Ben Stokes just can’t hold back…

Woke up to this on Monday morning Sydney time, and I just couldn’t stop laughing.
 
The caption from @chaitanyaanandd, simple yet so brilliant, played a big factor. In celebrating success, Adil Rashid copped one in the face, which was his highlight of the match. 
 
Catch the tweet here.
 

Funny Cricket Tweet #5: “I salute you, bro”

Oh boy, this tweet deservedly blew up!
 
Both played scored ducks off seven deliveries, and @_amiteshSingh_ delivered a beauty. Both players achieved the same, both players marked the occasion by swapping shirts. 
 
#RESPECT
 

Funny Cricket Tweet #6: “Come on, man. Enough. Follow me on insta”

These “fake news” accounts are absolute gold.
 
@cric_duzz “spreads fake cricketing news”, which is fake news I really care about and enjoy. Donald Trump would even like this version of fake news.
 
From “minnows” like Eranga, Gamage, to “touching the swinging ball” to “follow me on insta and like my pics”, it’s just all gold. Cudos to you, tweeter. 

Funny Cricket Tweet #7: Anything to be proven right!

@imsgshinde is another fan who continually comes up with the goods, and here is another.
 
In the lead up to the Test, there was so much talk about Michael Holding’s views on Hardik Pandya as a cricketer and Jasprit Bumrah as a new ball bowler.
 
Perhaps the best way to be proven right is just get in that England team and stop them from performing. Running out all his partners was just gold!
 

Funny Cricket Tweet #8: Choice of words around certain people!

Following on from the previous funny tweet, here is another Holding beauty.
 
Mike Atherton put himself under risk of verbal abuse claiming such a thing. Brilliant stuff, @ImAbhay3.
 

Funny Cricket Tweet #9: Gold…

Sam Curran… what a series he’s had. Ravichandran Ashwin…. what a tough Test he had. 
 
Virat Kohli bowled Ashwin with the second new ball, and @cricloverakku combined Sam Curran’s quality with Kohli’s reluctance to bowl Bumrah.
 
Ripper tweet!
 

Funny Cricket Tweet #10: A new opportunity…

Alastair Cook deserves respect and Piers Morgan still wants to drive his KP agenda.
 
Saw this on my lunch break today at work and did my absolute best to laugh without disturbing anyone else.
 
I’m still laughing now.
 
This is not only so true, but perfectly articulated by @Mattwinton1. Absolutely hilarious.
 

Funny Cricket Tweet #11: “I’d rather watch Cook read a book”

Look at Piers carrying on.
 
@cday73 put him in his place. Brilliant stuff.
 
Just imagining sitting and just watching Cook read a book while Piers hopes people watch him on TV… Chuckle!
 

Funny Cricket Tweet #12: The best GIF ever!

His Test bowling average is seven, after all…
 
@cwjreynolds calling it as it is… We want to see Cooky bowl! We want to see that run up… that focused face…
 
Beauty!
 
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So, there are my favourite tweets from the week gone by.
 
In the meantime, check out my light-hearted 4th Test Player Ratings or my tribute to Alastair Cook.
Thanks for reading!

Alastair Cook retires: A tribute to a fine cricketer and person

Charbel Coorey
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The end has come for one of England’s finest. It has been one hell of an innings.

Alastair Cook has announced the fifth Test at The Oval vs India will be his last. With a world-record 158 consecutive Test appearances out of his 160, 59 as captain and 12,254 runs, here lies a player who is arguably unmatched in terms of his contribution to the England shirt.

It is time to celebrate the career of not only a fine batsman, but a great person.

Not the most naturally talented, Alastair Cook always worked hard on his game, displaying true grit and powers of concentration time and time again; the basis of truly classic innings over the years. His dedication and humility has made him a respected figure, not just among his own fans, but rival ones, including myself and surely millions of others.

Whether it’s the Ashes of 2010/11, the famous tour of India in 2012 or countless others, Alastair Cook gave people reason to believe he could very well pass Sachin Tendulkar’s run tally in Tests. It hasn’t turned out to be the case, but that takes nothing away from a truly superb career.

“I have achieved more than I could have ever imagined and feel very privileged to have played for such along time alongside some of the greats of the English game.”

Cook’s words highlight the kind of man he is. Humble, selfless and respectful of others, which showed in his cricketing journey over the years.

A rousing ovation and guard of honour awaits him at The Oval. And deservedly so.

In this piece, I will explore five of my favourite Alastair Cook innings. Feel free to discuss yours!

104* v India, Nagpur 2006

A debut that confirmed this kid would go onto something great.
Flying from the Caribbean to Nagpur as a last-minute replacement for Marcus Trescothick, 21-year old Cook showed maturity beyond his years in a fantastic Test debut, where he scored 60 and 104*.
The prospect of Harbhajan Singh and Anil Kumble in Indian conditions would even make established Test batsmen quake in their boots, but Alastair Cook played them expertly, which was the start of a very special Test career in Asia.

235* v Australia, Brisbane 2010

An innings that turned the momentum of that Ashes series.
After Peter Siddle’s amazing hat-trick and Michael Hussey and Brad Haddin’s huge partnership, England were staring down the brink of a 1-0 series deficit in the 2010/11 Ashes.
But, Cook had other ideas, plundering 235* in a total of 517/1d that was the beginning of the second most fruitful series for any England player in history: 766 runs at 127.66.

118 v South Africa, Durban 2009

In one of the most classic Test series I can remember, Cook stood out in Durban along with Ian Bell and Graeme Swann.
On a pitch offering assistance to both seam and spin, Cook was defiant in a superb 401 minute effort that played a huge part in England’s massive innings and 98 run victory.

294 v India, Birmingham 2011

A 773 minute effort that to this day remains Cook’s highest score.
He was simply relentless against a helpless India side that typified the kind of player Cook was – determined, patient and just loved to bat.
This innings helped seal that series against India, who were the world’s number one Test side at that point.

190 v India, Kolkata, 2012

England’s incredible triumph in India was Alastair Cook’s finest ever moment.
He was absolutely phenomenal in that series, and picking my favourite innings out of that series was a tough ask.
His 176 in Ahmedabad in the first Test swung the momentum of the series. England were forced to follow on, and facing a deficit of 330, Cook’s amazing knock helped England get a foothold in the series in which they won 2-1.

Then, his 122 on a raging turner in Mumbai helped England level the series, and he knew it was his time.

This led to my favourite Cook knock – a brilliant 190 in Kolkata in a match where no other player made a century. It only took a freak run-out to end his stay, otherwise he could have batted forever. England took a 2-1 series lead, and ended up rejoicing in one of their finest ever triumphs.
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Along with these five innings, there were others that deserve special mention – his 95 v India in Southampton 2014, 263 v Pakistan in Abu Dhabi 2015, 110 v Pakistan at The Oval 2010 and 148 v Australia in Adelaide 2010 come to mind.
Alastair Cook has been a truly wonderful player that all associated with England Cricket should appreciate (yes, talking about Piers Morgan…)
For one final time, Alastair Cook will grace Test Cricket. For over a decade, he continued to give his all.
Thank you, Chef.
Thanks for reading!

England vs India 4th Test Player Ratings: “But does he have a carrom ball?”

Charbel Coorey
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Test Cricket, huh? It delivers drama like no other format can, and I was literally fuming I had to get up for work a few hours later!

The series is now over… And as you can tell, I’m disappointed with Ravi Ashwin. Yes, the batsmen perhaps could have stood up more in this series, but conditions in Southampton were in his favour to take the game by the scruff of the neck.

The worst part? I have to congratulate England on their series win.

No Aussie should be put in that position. Ever.

But, I will do just that. Congratulations England, particularly for holding nerve in the key moments. The two closest Tests in this series have fallen their way, and India would be ruing missed opportunities, especially on the first day when England’s top order collapsed like a house of cards once again.

And by the way, if anyone predicted Sam Curran (who was my man of the match, by the way) would have the impact he has had on this series, give me the proof now. You’re a freak! If he’s in your Dream 11 team, very well done.

Without further ado, and with the third Test providing some classic moments, I will explore each player’s performance and rate them out of ten. As always, it is a little bit of a light-hearted piece.

Enjoy!

England

Alastair Cook: It’s got to the point where England start their innings one down, which is just so sad given the magnificent player Alastair Cook has been for England. The end is looking near, which is exactly the case, with Cook announcing his retirement. 2
 
Keaton Jennings: It got to the point where England started their innings actually two down, and after a first innings dismissal Keaton Jennings would like to delete out of everyone’s memory, he did fight well in the second innings. However, if Jennings gets another game, I’ll be more surprised than finding a pot of gold by chance out on the front lawn. 4
 
Meme material
 
 
Joe Root: Certainly hasn’t had the impact a player of his ability should. It has got so awkward for Root that Moeen was sent at three in the second innings. If Kohli v Root was a boxing match, the crowd would boo for not getting value for money. 5
 
Jonny Bairstow: Commented in the first Test that Bairstow is exposing his stumps too much. I’m sure this leaves England fans with their hearts pumping, and India fans with their eyes bulging with interest. He’s playing with a white ball cricket technique at the moment. 1
 
Ben Stokes: Very handy with both bat and ball. His second innings knock was slow, but the partnership with Jos Buttler was absolutely crucial. Also ensured the pitch wore out more and more. Great second innings catch to see the back of Shikhar Dhawan. Solid effort. So too his punch on Adil Rashid! 7
 
Laugh out loud…
 
 
Jos Buttler: The summer of Jos. Super second innings knock, curbing his natural attacking instincts to help England get a lead that would prove too much for India. 8
 
Moeen Ali: Showed Ravichandran Ashwin how to bowl on this pitch. Didn’t worry about the carrom ball, quicker ball, slider and whatever else Ashwin tried. Bowled with patience and made use of the rough. Nine wickets to go with his first innings 40, and finished man of the match. “I wish I could play India at home every game,” said Moeen. “They’ll start comparing me to Shane Warne.” 9
 
Sam Curran: India’s biggest nemesis. He has stood in the way of two Indian victories in this series. Brilliant batting again down the order, and kept the pressure on with the ball. His runs and the first innings wicket of Kohli was huge. Will definitely be in my Dream 11 team for the 5th Test. 9
 
Adil Rashid: Highlight was getting punched in the face by Ben Stokes. 3
 
Stuart Broad: He absolutely meant to get KL Rahul in the second innings with that peach of a roll ball. Jokes aside, it was another good performance by Broad, constantly asking questions of the Indian batsmen. 7
 
James Anderson: No success in the first innings, prompting to wonderful Dennis to suggest he lacks strike. 559 Test wickets suggests otherwise, mate. 6
 

India

 
Shikhar Dhawan: Left the ball really well in the first innings, but he just couldn’t resist the bait in the end. Has hung in the there but just no big score. 4
 
KL Rahul: You wouldn’t even wish your worst enemy gets the ball KL Rahul did in the second innings. His struggles continue in this series. I bet he’ll be keen to get a run on the flat Australian pitches later this year. 2
 
Cheteshwar Pujara: Phenomenal first innings hundred that kept India in the Test. Arguably his finest Test innings to date. Slightly angled bat in the second dig leading to his downfall. 9
 
Virat Kohli: Survived a review that prompted a chat on Twitter that would have lasted a week had he won India the Test. Nonetheless, it was another good performance from this incredible player on another challenging batting track. Went past 500 runs in the series. Special. 7.5
 
Ajinkya Rahane: Would have been having nightmares of Ben Stokes during the Test, as well as the third umpire, who deemed Ben Stokes to have bowled a legal delivery. Followed up with a superb second innings fight, but couldn’t quite carry on. 6.5

A tweet for the ages..

 

 
Hardik Pandya: Performed so incredibly well in the third Test that India just couldn’t dare to leave him out here for Ravindra Jadeja. Unfortunately, he couldn’t deliver here, headlined by a disappointing chip to Joe Root at short midwicket in the first innings. 2
 
Rishabh Pant: One extreme to the other. 29-ball duck followed by a shot-a-ball 18 off 12. Needs to find a balance, does Pant. Glovework needs some improvement, also. 3
 
Ravichandran Ashwin: “It’s all well and good for Moeen to bowl offspinners”, said Ashwin post match. “But can he bowl a good carrom ball?” This literally was Ashwin’s mindset in this Test, hellbent on quicker and carrom balls instead of focusing on the beautiful shape he generates from his conventional offspin. A very disappointing performance from a player still trying to shake off his “Asia-only” tag. And don’t get me started on that reverse sweep… 3

Interesting question by Ashwin in his press conference…

 

 
Mohammed Shami: Mighty impressive. The uproar had he been left out for Ravindra Jadeja would have mimicked an anti-Donald Trump rally. 8
 
Ishant Sharma: Went past 250 wickets in the Test, and continues to bowl brilliantly. 8
 
Jasprit Bumrah: Gave us one for the “cricket funnies” compilation with Keaton Jennings’ dismissal in the first innings. Another excellent effort, and just confirms his importance to the Indian team. 7.5
 
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So, there we have it.
Series victory to England, who take out the second very tight Test of the series.
Can India gain consolation at The Oval, just like they did at Johannesburg earlier this year?
Thanks for reading!

England vs India 4th Test 4th Day Preview

Charbel Coorey
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Are India gone?

That’s the impression I received from fans and pundits online, even with England five down for effectively 120. Now, there is every reason to believe India are finished in the series, given England are in front by 233, a hefty lead in challenging batting conditions, offering both seam and turn.

Can India defy the odds and keep the series alive, or will England go a long way to winning the series on the fourth day?

Before I explore three key things to look out for on day four, I want to express my biggest disappointment from day three.

Note – this is in no way taking credit away from the excellent efforts of Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler and Sam Curran in putting England in a position of strength from a position of vulnerability.

But, I thought Ravichandran Ashwin was disappointing and cause for a very frustrating Saturday night for an Aussie hoping England would lose completely lose the advantage of a 2-0 series lead. When he threw the ball up a little slower into the rough, he got some fantastic purchase. But, for some reason, he was hellbent on bowling plenty of quicker deliveries, causing me to not even remember when he bowled two genuine off-spinners in a row.

Interesting question by Ashwin…

Anyway, India have given away a few advantages in this Test, especially when having England 86/6 on day one, but that all has to be forgotten now. The fourth day is of ultimate focus, and here are my three key things to look out for.

How quickly can India get these last two wickets?

England lead by 233 with India’s biggest nemesis Sam Curran still at the crease.
233 is already perhaps too far out of India’s reach, but anything over 250 is just about “shut the lights”. These final two wickets need to be snapped up very quickly.
Alternatively, England will be looking to bat as long as possible. Stuart Broad isn’t the batsman he once was, but he can still hang around, and we know what Sam Curran is capable of. England are in a good position, made even more impressive by the ability of the middle order to rescue the team after another top order struggle.

India’s top five

Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul have been encouraging in the last two Tests, and the king pins are Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli.
Both these two have put on strong partnerships in the last two innings together, and India need both to perform. Of course, if the openers can lay an excellent platform, India will have hope.
Another battle to watch out for is Ben Stokes v Ajinkya Rahane. There was no sign of Stokes in the first innings until Rahane walked out to bat, and I’m sure the same will happen again in the second innings. Rahane needs to find a way to cope with Stokes better than he has.
Also, the top five is critical to India’s chances, given the somewhat unreliable lower order, which was on show in the first innings.

England’s spinners – can they outbowl Ashwin?

The pitch is drying out further and further by the minute, which opens up the game for first innings hero Moeen Ali and legspinner Adil Rashid.
India will have their hands full trying to counter seam and spin on a track offering assistance for both, and with Moeen in particular loving life against India at home, how India play him and Rashid will make for intriguing viewing.
Partnerships are key for India today. If they lose wickets in clumps, the series can be kissed goodbye.
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My verdict…
 
 
It’s not looking too rosy for India right now, and credit to England for their never-say-die attitude in this Test.
This track is offering assistance for both seamers and spinners, and England have the attack to take full advantage.
I think England will cross a lead of 250, and it’s hard to see India chasing that down. I back England to win this Test, even though that will go against my series prediction I put forward before a ball was bowled.
Thanks for reading!

England vs India 4th Test 3rd Day Preview

Charbel Coorey
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Image Credit: Getty Images

For the first time since the first Test, we are in for a potentially thrilling finish.

With India slightly ahead, as I thought they would be yesterday, you probably have to say England are favourites with a deficit of just 21 with all ten wickets in hand… after India yet again fell victim to Moeen Ali. However, I’m just so thrilled for Cheteshwar Pujara, a player who has had a challenging time overseas, who played an absolutely amazing knock to keep India right in the game.

With England’s top order STILL inspiring as much confidence as Arsenal Football Club’s defence, nothing is a given in a Test that has ebbed and flowed. So, what will the third day have in store?

Like yesterday, I will explore three key things to look out for on the third day that I think will shape the result of the Test. Day three is often considered “moving day”, and anything can happen, making this another much anticipated day of Test Cricket.

What can England’s top order offer?

India’s seamers have been all over England’s top order like a bad rash, and even a small first innings deficit represents pressure for the Poms’ top order.
I don’t think I look like Einstein when I say this is Keaton Jennings’ last chance, and I can’t even remember what life was like when Alastair Cook scored a double hundred on a Melbourne pitch that made a pancake look full of life. Those two need to knock off the deficit at least, and it’s time Joe Root imposes himself on the series.

A tough time for Jennings…
With England having a middle and lower order very capable of holding the bat, England’s top six today could be vital to the chances. You simply can’t collapse and expect Sam Curran to pick you up out of the mire again.

Can Ishant, Bumrah and Ashwin have a big say?

India now possess a well-rounded attack away from home, and the form of Ishant Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah has been a key factor to their success.
Can they rip through England’s top order again? If they can, and focus on restricting England to a lead of (maximum) 200, India are a chance of winning even when having to bat last. However, India’s bowlers and fans will probably be having nightmares of closing out opposition innings away from home. If they have the opportunity to do so, they must be ruthless.
Lower orders have been a challenge for India
Also, if Ishant and Bumrah do find success, can Ashwin cut short England’s efforts of rebuilding? I would give him plenty of opportunities with the pitch beginning to take turn, and given the England line up is full of left handers.

Can England bat the whole day?

If England can manage this, they should throw a party mid-pitch.

The batting doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence right now, but the series is there to be won today.

Can they bat the full 90? That typically translates to about 300 runs, which could be too much for India to chase in the fourth innings.

My verdict…

With India slightly in front thanks to Cheteshwar Pujara’s brilliance, the third day is set up nicely.
I predict England will bat till halfway through the third session and set India a target of about 230 to win.
We’ll see what happens! Thanks for reading.

England vs India 4th Test 2nd Day Preview

Charbel Coorey
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Image credit: Getty Images

What a riveting day of Test Cricket yesterday.

Thought India would run away with things after a familiar England top order struggle? So did I. Thought Sam Curran couldn’t repeat his batting heroics from the first Test? I was also a little doubtful. Thought India are past the nightmares of not being able to clean up opposition lower orders away from home? Me too.

One thing is for sure though – we are in for a potentially special second day. Who will finish it on top?

In this short and sweet preview, I will explore three key things I think to look out for on the second day, and who I think will end up in the ascendancy by the day’s end.

India top three v England’s swing and seam

India’s seamers moved the ball around appreciably on the first day, especially in the morning and afternoon sessions. It made for fantastic viewing for India fans, but unfortunately for them, 246 is a total larger than they should really have conceded.
Now, the onus is really on the top three of India to stave off the new ball as best as possible.
I can see this pitch getting better for batting on days two and three, and the first session today is critical. Can England make inroads, or can India’s top three set a platform that gets us all set for possible Virat Kohli magic? For England, it’s important they get Virat Kohli in as soon as possible to target him with as much movement as possible. With the pace attack England have in these conditions, this is most certainly possible.
We know of the “first session is crucial” cliche, but in this case, it is just so crucial.

Influence of Sam Curran

There will be plenty of focus on James Anderson and Stuart Broad. Rightly so. These two have been superb in England for a number of years.
However, India have really struggled against Sam Curran’s angle. If you go back to the first Test, India’s openers put on 50 for the first wicket, and then capitulated against Sam Curran. In the third Test, I reckon England missed Sam Curran’s bowling. They also missed his batting, too.
A big key to how today goes is the impact of Anderson and Broad up top, and then how well India can negotiate the change bowlers, especially Curran, who will be on a high after his fantastic knock yesterday.

Will India force England into bowling lots of spin?

Yesterday, there was a big possibility that Ravichandran Aswhin wouldn’t get a bowl. In the end, he sent down almost 15 overs.
If England turn to spin, it is a sign that India are possibility on top in the play. I can’t see England turning to spin if the seamers are all over the Indian batsmen like a bad cold, so this will an interesting thing to look out for.
Of course, both Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali can’t be taken lightly. Rashid is bowling decently and has wicket taking ability, and Moeen took 19 wickets in India’s last tour of England.

My verdict….

What makes this Test potentially really special is the battles within the battle. 
Because the Test result is so difficult to predict, making a call as to how this day will pan out is a tough ask. 
Can India get a lead of 100 in the first innings and target England’s fragile top order? Or can England blow India away a’la Lord’s?
I think with India’s batting, following on from a good showing at Trent Bridge, will finish the day slightly in front.
Think there is something I’ve missed? Leave a comment!
Should be a good day’s play! Thanks for reading.

Ireland vs Afghanistan 3rd ODI Preview

Charbel Coorey
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Image credit: Getty

Decider!

Can Ireland do it to Afghanistan again?

Two of the newest Test nations go head-to-head in a winner-takes-all clash. With a good rivalry building, neither of these two sides will give in easily.

Ireland won the last bilateral ODI series against Afghanistan, that too after suffering a convincing defeat in the first game. The Irish proved they could do it in foreign conditions in Sharjah, and with home ground advantage on their side, they’ll be really backing their chances. Their batting still leaves quite a bit to be desired, but if their bowlers, led by Tim Murtagh, are as relentless as the 2nd ODI, their batting won’t necessarily have to fire to win the series.

Afghanistan’s landmark 100th ODI was one to forget. They just couldn’t get going with the bat, highlighted by losing four wickets inside the first nine overs, and crawling at under three an over for much of the innings. Rotation of the strike is critical here, so too not losing too many wickets at the top which has been an issue in this series so far. Can they put in an improved showing in the decider?

Key to an Ireland win

Like the 2nd ODI, Ireland’s best chance of winning is through their bowling.
Reducing Afghanistan to 16/4 was a huge catalyst to victory, forcing the tourists to crawl for the remainder of the innings. Tim Murtagh was simply too good up top, backed up well by the likes of Boyd Rankin and Peter Chase. Can Ireland take all their chances in the field, and put Afghanistan under even further pressure?
Another strong showing from the bowling will render any total around 200 a winning score. Andy Balbirnie, backed up by Paul Stirling and Simi Singh, would be pleased with their efforts. Can the Irish get even more out of their experienced players, especially against the good spin attack of Afghanistan?

Key to a Afghanistan win

Afghanistan’s top order was a rabble on Wednesday. 
Mohammad Shahzad needs to stick through the challenging early periods, and it remains to be seen whether Hazratullah Zazai has the technical nous to do well outside of T20 cricket. The middle order again helped Afghanistan to respectability, but greater substance from the top order is needed, thanks to a busier, more positive mindset.
Also, Afghanistan’s spinners had another good day out in the 2nd ODI, combining for 6/116 in 28.5 overs. The best bet is that they’ll continue to give Ireland problems. Can the batting shape up?

Possible teams

Ireland possible XI: 1. William Porterfield (c), 2. Paul Stirling, 3. Andy Balbirnie, 4. Niall O’Brien (wk), 5. Kevin O’Brien, 6. Simi Singh, 7. Gary Wilson, 8. Andy McBrine, 9. Tim Murtagh, 10. Boyd Rankin, 11. Peter Chase
Afghanistan possible XI: 1. Mohammad Shahzad (wk), 2. Hazratullah Zazai, 3. Gulbadin Naib, 4. Rahmat Shah, 5. Hashmatullah Shahidi, 6. Asghar Afghan, 7. Mohammad Nabi, 8. Najibullah Zadran, 9. Rashid Khan, 10. Aftab Alam, 11. Mujeeb Ur Rahman

Stats and Facts

  • Ireland won the last bilateral series between the sides, also coming from 1-0 down.
  • Tim Murtagh’s 4/30 on Wednesday are now his best figures in ODIs.
  • Both sides are struggling with their batting, both averaging 22 per wicket in this series.

Prediction

Promises to be an interesting decider, which will come to which side can hold their own better with the bat.
The team most likely? I reckon Afghanistan, as Ireland are less likely to overcome Afghanistan’s spinners. This is why I will pick Afghanistan to pick up a win here to take the series.
Thanks for reading!

England vs India 4th Test Preview

Charbel Coorey
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0

The series has taken shape, and is well and truly alive.

That is absolutely fantastic for Test Cricket. Even better, you just can’t be sure which way the fourth Test will go. Will England bounce back well again at home after a Test defeat? Or will India continue on from their excellent win at Trent Bridge?

Despite England’s concerns at the top of the order, what will give their fans hope is indeed their ability to bounce back well following defeats at home. After being pummeled by Australia at Lord’s in the 2015 Ashes, England then pummeled Australia at Birmingham and Nottingham. Against South Africa last year, England were whacked at Trent Bridge, and then backed up well at The Oval. The same happened after a shock loss v West Indies last year. Against Pakistan this year, England lost the first Test, and then bounced back to level the series. Can they continue this pattern here?

For India, they are aiming to emulate Don Bradman’s 1936-37 team and come back from 2-0 down to win a series 3-2. Of course, with two Tests to go, that is still a long way away, and the focus needs to be on repeating the fantastic form they showed at Trent Bridge. The pitch was not easy to bat on by any means, but the batsmen, led by Virat Kohli, showed a lot more stomach for the fight after the abomination at Lord’s. In the bowling department, just about all the bowlers starred at some point, putting England’s batsmen under serious pressure. We are set for a fascinating fourth Test.

Key to an England win

Yes, it’s all well and good to hold hope in England’s bounce back abilities at home, but the top order need to put this into action.
England’s openers, Alastair Cook and Keaton Jennings, inspire as much confidence as Arsenal Football Club’s defence right now. Joe Root has not managed a Test century in over a year, and Jonny Bairstow will be playing with what certainly won’t be a 100% finger. With a middle order capable of causing damage, England’s top four need to ensure that Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, Moeen Ali and Sam Curran aren’t left with damage to repair.
And speaking of Sam Curran, his inclusion in the side is a boost for England. Leaving him out at Trent Bridge, given his form and India’s struggles against his angle, was controversial, but he’s back to play a key role in England’s attack. With six genuine options up Joe Root’s sleeve, England must look at consistently maintaining the pressure on India’s batsmen, over after over.
Also, England’s slip fielding was absolutely horrible at Trent Bridge, and it’s something they must sort out.

Key to an India win

At Lord’s, India lost their first wicket for no runs in both innings. At Trent Bridge, this figure ballooned to 60. 
Openers KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan certainly didn’t score large, but what they managed to do was get India in the game, especially on the first morning. Making England work hard was the name of the game for India at Trent Bridge, and they were rewarded with runs. Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane played their most significant innings of the series, supporting the magnificent Virat Kohli. The same from the top five is vital here, giving the likes of Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya freedom to express themselves with the bat.
Also, India’s bowling looked a very well oiled machine. On this form, they could even threaten on the pancakes that are Australian pitches, given their attacking mindset. The addition of Jasprit Bumrah has taken India to another level, and with Ishant Sharma, Hardik Pandya and Ravichandran Ashwin bowling really well, India have it in them to cause trouble for England again.

Key battles

  • Ishant Sharma v Alastair Cook: The England opener is really struggling with the ball curving away from around the wicket. His edge can be found with alarming ease at the moment, so it will be interesting to see what approach Cook takes in the fourth Test. Will he bat outside his crease and perhaps move more towards off stump?
  • Jasprit Bumrah v Joe Root: The England captain was sure to have nightmares about Jasprit Bumrah after the third Test. Because of the angle Bumrah creates, Joe Root was playing at deliveries he was leaving comfortably against other bowlers. This led to his demise, and makes for a fascinating fourth Test battle.
  • India v Sam Curran: The likes of James Anderson will certainly be a threat, but how well will India play Sam Curran? Left-arm seam has been a problem for India’s batsmen in this series, and Curran is a fantastic replacement for Chris Woakes. Not getting the front pad too far across is key to avoiding LBW, and watching the seam closely is vital to knowing which way it will go. I can’t wait for the contest.

Possible teams

England have confirmed their side. Moeen Ali comes in for Ollie Pope and Sam Curran in for Chris Woakes. Joe Buttler will take the gloves in this game, given Jonny Bairstow’s finger injury.
England XI: 1. Alastair Cook, 2. Keaton Jennings, 3. Joe Root (c), 4. Jonny Bairstow, 5. Ben Stokes, 6. Jos Buttler (wk), 7. Moeen Ali, 8. Sam Curran, 9. Adil Rashid, 10. Stuart Broad, 11. James Anderson
For India, will they go with the same XI for the first time under Virat Kohli’s captaincy? The pitch could take spin later in the Test which might tempt India to play Ravindra Jadeja.
India possible XI: 1. Shikhar Dhawan, 2. KL Rahul, 3. Cheteshwar Pujara, 4. Virat Kohli (c), 5. Ajinkya Rahane, 6. Rishabh Pant (wk), 7. Hardik Pandya, 8. Ravichandran Ashwin, 9. Mohammed Shami, 10. Ishant Sharma, 11. Jasprit Bumrah

Stats and Facts

  • Virat Kohli needs six runs to reach 6,000 in Tests. If he achieves it in the first innings, he will be outright sixth fastest ever to the mark.
  • Ishant Sharma is one wicket away from 250 in Tests.

Prediction

Wow, what a difficult match to predict. England often bounce back well at home, and India were absolutely superb at Trent Bridge.
I predicted the series result will end up 2-2, and I will stick to it, backing India to continue their excellent form to win this Test and take us to a decider!

Thanks for reading!

Ireland vs Afghanistan 2nd ODI Preview

Charbel Coorey
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Quadrangular ‘A’ Series Final: India B vs Australia A Preview

Charbel Coorey
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The Quadrangular ‘A’ series in India has provided a good insight into the bench strength of India, Australia and South Africa.

Weather aside, it has been a good test of temperament as much as talent from players looking to breakthrough consistently into their respective national sides.

Now, it is a rematch of the final game – India B v Australia A, after Jack Wildermuth hit a six to win the match off the final ball on Monday. The second take should be very interesting, indeed.

Without a doubt, India B’s success in this series showcases the depth of talent in India, despite the disappointment of India A missing out on a spot in the final. Manish Pandey, a player who has disappointed throughout his career, could not have timed his run better. With the Asia Cup fast approaching, his 233 runs in three innings without being dismissed is sure to have selectors interested. Can he, along with other hopefuls, pick up a win against an Australian side looking to continue its quest for improvement in Asian conditions?

Australia A began their series in awful fashion, suffering a heavy loss at the hands of India A. However, two good wins under pressure is an encouraging sign for a team full of players looking to enter or cement their places in the national side. Usman Khawaja and Jack Wildermuth were excellent under pressure to get the Australians to the final, but can the batsmen, along with the bowlers, put in a complete show against a side with strong knowledge of the conditions?

Key to an India B win

Manish Pandey has been superb for his team in his series, and he again holds the key in the final. The rest of his teammates could step up a little more, with the next best score to Pandey’s 117 on Monday being 36 by Mayank Agarwal.
In the likes of Ishan Kishan, Shubman Gill, Kedar Jadhav and Deepak Hooda, India B have players they can count on to do well in the final. Can they stand up?
Also, India B’s bowling and fielding in the last game v Australia A was cause for defeat. With the Australians tottering at 155/5 in their chase of 247 in 40 overs, the Indians let Jack Wildermuth in particular off the hook. Missed stumpings, poor length bowling and dropped catches need to be rectified in the final.

Key to an Australia A win

Conceding 270 odd in a limited overs game these days is a decent result, and I reckon the Aussies would have been mostly pleased with their efforts on Monday.
This was despite Pandey’s efforts, and this represents a significant opportunity for the Aussies. If they can break the opening partnership early and get to Manish Pandey as soon as possible, I think it gives them the best chance of getting his wicket early, with him possibly having to rebuild things a little. Of course, there are other players in the India B side that require careful attention, so the Aussie bowlers and fielders need to be switched on.
Also, something Australia A need to guard against is losing wickets in clumps. Usman Khawaja’s century in these conditions is highly encouraging, but partnerships are vital, and fortunately Jack Wildermuth was able to take advantage of India B’s sloppiness on Monday. Who else will put their hand up in the final?

Possible teams:

India B possible XI: 1. Ishan Kishan (wk), 2. Mayank Agarwal, 3. Shubman Gill, 4. Manish Pandey (c), 5. Kedar Jadhav, 6. Deepak Hooda, 7. Jalaj S Saxena, 8. Shreyas Gopal, 9. Kulwant Khejroliya, 10. Prasidh Krishna, 11. Siddarth Kaul
Australia A possible XI: 1. Alex Carey (wk), 2. Usman Khawaja, 3. Travis Head (c), 4. Peter Handscomb, 5. Marnus Labuschagne, 6. Jack Wildermuth, 7. Ashton Agar, 8. Jhye Richardson, 9. Mitchell Swepson, 10. Michael Neser, 11. Billy Stanlake

Stats and Facts

  • Jack Wildermuth’s remarkable fifty on Monday was his first List A fifty.
  • Australia A qualified for the final with a negative net run rate (-0.204).
  • Manish Pandey has hit 233 runs in three innings, without being dismissed.

Prediction

Really keen to see Australia A do well in the final after matches in this series and hopefully win the series.
That is my heart talking.
My head says that India B deserve to be favourites in this game, with their strong know-how of the conditions, as well as their desire to right the wrongs of Monday. If I had to put money on this one, I’d say India B will get the job done.
Thanks for reading!
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